In this game Anatoly Karpov at only 17 shows us how to play against the fearsome Sicilian Dragon Variation, where only one mistake could cost you the game against experienced players.
1.e4
Karpov starts the game by taking control of the center with Fischer's favorite opening move.
1...c5
2.Nf3
d6
3.d4
cxd4
4.Nxd4
Nf6
5.Nc3
g6
This move begins the dreaded Sicilian Dragon Variation. Some say it got its name because this configuration of pawns resembles the dragon star constellation Draco. What ever the reason when ever some one plays the Dragon against you be careful because they are out for blood.
6.Be3
Bg7
7.f3
0-0
8.Bc4
Nc6
9.Qd2
Qa5
10.0-0-0
This calm looking move is really a signal for a fight. When both sides have castled on opposite sides of the board like they have done here this means that both armies will go for an all out attack. The powerful black queen throws its self into the battle near the white king.
10...Bd7
Notice how both sides bring out a new piece in every move.
11.h4
Ne5
The knight attacks the white bishop
12.Bb3
Rfc8
Now a black rook takes aim at whites king. White needs to come up with something fast!
13.h5
A great move. White attacks blacks pawn fortress to open it up.
13...Nxh5
14.Bh6
Another powerful move. When ever you attack the king always try to get rid of the pieces that defend it.
14...Bxh6
15.Qxh6
Now white's queen is preparing for an assault on black's king.
15...Rxc3
Black needs to stop the white assult on his king and the best defense is a offense. So he sacrifices his rook to punch through white's defense. White has no choice but to defend and take the rook.
16.bxc3
Qxc3
17.Ne2
White attacks the black queen hoping to chase it away.
17...Qc5
18.g4
Nf6
19.g5
Nh5
20.Rxh5
Now white sacrifices his rook to open up blacks fortress.and black must take it or face checkmate. This type of mayhem is typical in the dragon to annihilate the kings defenses.
20...gxh5
21.Rh1
White is bringing all his pieces to join in the attack.
21...Qe3+
Black tries to stop the attack with a check on the white king.
22.Kb1
Qxf3
23.Rxh5
e6
24.g6
Nxg6
25.Qxh7+
Kf8
26.Rf5
Qxb3+
Things are not going well for black and in a desperate attemp to stop white's mating attack he sacrifices his queen. This was forced to stop the mate. Black should have resigned right here after losing his queen.
27.axb3
exf5
28.Nf4
Rd8
29.Qh6+
Ke8
30.Nxg6
White is closing in on the king and there is no place to hide.
30...fxg6
31.Qxg6+
Ke7
32.Qg5+
Ke8
33.exf5
Rc8
34.Qg8+
Ke7
35.Qg7+
Kd8
36.f6
Here black resigns because white's pawn will soon queen and there is no stopping it. See for your self. This game shows what a great player Karpov was already in his teens and his understanding on how to handle such a difficult defense as the Sicilian Dragon.
What a thrill it must have been for a 17 year old kid to win against the 25 year old seasoned Russian Gik. 1-0